The end times · Revelation 4–5
God’s Throne and the Slain Lamb
John sees a door open in heaven, and the voice says to him, “Come up hither.” A throne stands there, with someone seated on it, surrounded by a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around it, twenty-four elders in white robes wear crowns of gold; four living creatures say day and night, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!” In the right hand of the One who sits on the throne is a scroll sealed with seven seals. No one is worthy to open it: John weeps much. One of the elders comforts him: “the Lion of the tribe of Judah . . . hath prevailed.” John looks and sees a Lamb as it had been slain. He takes the scroll, and heaven sings: “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”
What happens
- “Come up hither”: an open door in heaven, and a throne Revelation 4:1–2
- Twenty-four elders crowned with gold surround the throne Revelation 4:4
- “Holy, holy, holy”: the elders fall down in worship Revelation 4:8–10
- A scroll sealed with seven seals: no one is worthy, and John weeps Revelation 5:1–4
- The Lion of the tribe of Judah appears as a slain Lamb Revelation 5:5–6
- “Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every nation” Revelation 5:9–10
Who is in this story
The lesson
At the center of heaven, a throne is occupied: God reigns and is worshipped as Creator. The slain Lamb, who redeemed his people by his blood, alone is worthy to open the scroll: whatever happens on earth, praise is the right response.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Quick quiz on this story
How many elders sit on thrones around God’s throne?
Around the throne, John sees “four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment,” with crowns of gold on their heads. Revelation 4:4
What does John do when no one is found worthy to open the scroll?
Because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look at it, John wept much, until one of the elders said to him, “Weep not.” Revelation 5:4–5
After being told about the Lion of the tribe of Judah, whom does John see in the midst of the throne?
He is told of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, but John sees “a Lamb as it had been slain,” standing in the midst of the throne. Revelation 5:5–6
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